GULFPORT – (AP) Paul Richard “Rick'' Lambert, who represented the Hattiesburg area in the Mississippi Senate from January 1980 to January 1992, died Monday, July 23, in Gulfport, where he had lived the past several years. He was 60.
Lambert was an attorney. He served in the Senate as a Democrat from District 45, in Forrest County. He chaired the Finance, Judiciary and Municipalities committees. He also served all 12 years on the Senate Public Utilities Committee and was vice chairman for four years.
Republican Billy Hewes III of Gulfport represented Senate District 49 for for 20 years starting in January 1992 and was a longtime friend of Lambert. He recalled Tuesday that Lambert was a smart legislator who enjoyed a good laugh.
“When you were with him, you always felt like you were in on some mischief,'' Hewes said.
Lambert was Hattiesburg city attorney for seven years.
He maintained his law practice in Hattiesburg even after moving to Gulfport. He was general counsel for Atmos Energy Corp. and the Mississippi Rural Independent Telephone Companies and legal counsel to the president of the University of Southern Mississippi.
Funeral services were Thursday, July 26, at Trinity United Methodist Church of Gulfport with burial in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, according to Riemann Family Funeral Homes in Gulfport.
Survivors include his wife, Candice Symmes Lambert; daughters, Elizabeth Lambert Garner, Emily Lambert Harden and Erin Lambert Dornan; stepchildren, Brandy McCabe Hyde and Tim McCabe; mother, Virgia Colville Lambert; two brothers; one sister and five grandchildren.
